This is episode 180 of crankygeeks. Here is the episode page description:
Episode 180: Apple vs. Psystar, Secret Rockmelt Browser, 10 Stupid iPhone Apps, Phones vs. the Kindle, and more...
What's new in Episode 180
Today's Guests: Sebastian Rupley, Co-Crank, Editorial Director, PCMagCast.com Dave Mathews, Inventor, Tech Journalist Andrew Eisner, Director of Content and Community, Retrevo.com
The Topics: Marc Andreessen Working On Secret Rockmelt Browser
Former Netscape star Marc Andreessen has a company working on a secret browser called Rockmelt. On PCMag.Com, Lance Ulanoff writes "no more browsers, please." "All of this simply leads competing browser developers to add more bells and whistles, which will inevitably lead to worse, not better, browsing experiences," he writes. Does we need another browser?
Apple and Psystar: Watch the Fur Fly
The battle between Apple and Mac clone maker Psystar continued last week with Apple accusing the company of destroying evidence - and Psystar gearing up to depose nine of Apple's top executives. Psystar "erased infringing versions of the software code used on computers sold to its customers," Apple claims. Psystar has announced that it will fire many questions at Apple executives during upcoming depositions.
Boxee Gets a $6 Million Catalyst
Open source media center application company Boxee has closed a $6 million round of financing led by Boston-based General Catalyst. The company says that talks are underway to get Boxee embedded into connected TVs and Blu-Ray players, game consoles and set-top boxes.
Stopping the Newspaper Death March
In a recent column, John laid out a prescription for saving dying newspapers through immediate and drastic downsizing. He wrote: "Eliminate layers of redundant editors. Turn off the lights, sell the desks, and get rid of the buildings. Reporters should work in the field and file reports over the network. I know of no major newspaper or magazine that has ever even considered virtualizing the entire operation."
DOJ Defends $1.92 Million Music Sharing Fine
The Department of Justice has published a brief that argues why, according to the law, the $1.92 million fine applied to single mom Jammie Thomas for illegally sharing 24 songs via Kazaa was constitutional. " Congress took into account the need to deter millions of users of new media from infringing copyrights in an environment where many violators believe that they will go unnoticed," says the brief.